Page:Merry and entertaining history of the king and the cobler.pdf/16

 that yeſterday; come into breakfaſt, you blockhead. With that he immeditely follows her like patient man, while ſhe continued ſcolding in this manner I need not, quoth ſhe, aſk you whether or not you met with your pot companion; for I think you gave me a full proof that you did, by the drunken condition you came home in. I think you told me he was ſomething of a courtier, but I rather think him to be ſome carman or porter. Pray where is the money that you carried out with you? You had fourpence halfpenny of me: that I let you live out of my pocket, becauſe I would have you appear like a man and beſides what you took of Jobſon, the old joiner, and likewiſe of Simon Scucecrown the sadler, for two pair of heel pieces and of this money, pray let me ſee what you have left?

Alas! ſaid the cobler, my friend was ſo far from letting me ſpend any thing, that he has given me what may be the making of you and I.

Why, Huſband, quoth Joan, what has he given you? Why, to tell you the truth, my ſweet wife, he has ſettled forty merks a-year upon me; and, as a ſure token of his goodneſs, he has given me thefe two broad pieces of gold.

Oh meǃ quoth joan, did your friend give you all this? Well, God's bleſſing on his loving heart, he is an honeſt fellow, warrant him.

Who do you call fellow? quoth her huſband, be that is ſo particular a friend of mine, is no worſe perſon than our gracious King Henry, and was be to know what you have ſaid of him and me, you may happen to dine on the fruit of your hempſeed; by which means I might be rid of a ſhrew.

Sweet huſband, quoth Joan, pardon what I've ſaid through my ignorance, and never devulge my unfortunate ſayings, as you love me, and I will never ſcold, nor call thou names for the future, during life.